posted 09-04-2002 04:41 PM
Does anyone have any tips for trying to get autographs from the Russians on NASA flights? I have been trying for a few years as each crew is announced but only have received a couple of Sergei Krikalev autopenned pics.

eurospaceMember

Posts: 2459From: Brussels, BelgiumRegistered: Dec 2000

posted 09-05-2002 11:07 AM
I feel that successes with the Russians while they are at Houston are sketchy at best. Some of them (Tokarev, Morukov) haven't sent out anything either.

The best strategy for me would be to get the unsigned litho or glossy and send it to Star City. This will take time, but the long term successes there are good. I printed myself a few of the digital files available on the HSF website and sent them to Russia.

gobbledockNew Member

Posts: 3From: melbourne victoria australiaRegistered: Nov 2002

posted 12-03-2002 12:56 AM
This page on collectSPACE about writing cosmonauts gives the following address:

posted 12-03-2002 09:46 AM
That is the official address for Russian cosmonauts at Star City, their training centre. Indeed their services are very reliable, albeit a bit slow.

Still, the willingness of modern cosmonauts to sign is the main criteria for success. Some of them who grew up under the old system, but still fly today, keep considering it an honor to be asked - think of Kaleri, Zalyotin, Poleshchuk, A. Solovyov, Afanasyev, Ryumin, Usachyov, Polyakov, Onufriyenko, to name a few.

Others, however, more influenced by the current mood at JSC, never respond. I have yet to receive a favourable reply from Tokarev, Treshchev, Sharipov, for instance.

Others again are intermediate - Krikalyov has always been notoriously bad through the mail - the guy's just to busy flying, I thought, but it hasn't become better since he settled down after his ISS stint. Still, in the past, he eventually got back to his mail, even if it was after 5 years ... and it might be we just have to be patient with some of the others too. Eventually, they will come around...

scrpienMember

Posts: 59From: ArizonaRegistered: Jun 2011

posted 08-22-2011 05:43 PM
Does anyone have any info on whether Yuri Malenchenko signs and if so how could I get something signed by him? Thanks for any response.

Editor's note: Threads merged.

eurospaceMember

Posts: 2459From: Brussels, BelgiumRegistered: Dec 2000

posted 09-01-2011 09:53 AM
Malenchenko used to be a good and generous signer at the beginning of his career, but I have not heard about TTM successes since he got married on ISS.

scrpienMember

Posts: 59From: ArizonaRegistered: Jun 2011

posted 09-01-2011 12:28 PM
Thanks, do you think I should take my chances through the Star City address?

Apollo-SoyuzMember

Posts: 997From: Shady Side, MdRegistered: Sep 2004

posted 09-12-2011 09:23 AM
I usually tell collectors when sending for cosmonaut autographs, be patient. I received back requests back 5 years after mailing. Keep track of the mailings for informational purposes for this group. Lately, the requests have had stamps on them. I usually send to the Star City address.

albatronMember

Posts: 2411From: Stuart, FloridaRegistered: Jun 2000

posted 09-12-2011 10:48 AM

quote:Originally posted by scrpien:Do you think I should take my chances through the Star City address?

Of course. Just don't send something you can't afford to lose. Which, is the rule of thumb in all instances anyway.

Hart SastrowardoyoMember

Posts: 2943From: Toms River, NJRegistered: Aug 2000

posted 12-23-2012 01:38 PM
Got some nice returns (and here) from Star City, sent out July 28, received this weekend — about 4X6 photos signed by Onufrienko; Sharipov; Lonchakov; Malenchenko; Dezhurov; Padalka; Treschev; Soloyev (ink didn't adhere, will have to re-write) — and best of all, Kornienko, who will do the yearlong flight with Scott Kelly.

Like a pack of baseball cards, Kornienko was at the bottom of the stack.

Apollo-SoyuzMember

Posts: 997From: Shady Side, MdRegistered: Sep 2004

posted 12-25-2012 10:07 AM
Has anybody received an autograph request back from Alexi Leonov recently? It has been years since my last success with him. I sent the request to the bank he is affiliated with.

eurospaceMember

Posts: 2459From: Brussels, BelgiumRegistered: Dec 2000

posted 01-05-2013 03:59 PM
John - yes, heard from Leonov late last year, after a couple of weeks of wait only. I think the stamped and addressed return envelope I joined helped.

Hart SastrowardoyoMember

Posts: 2943From: Toms River, NJRegistered: Aug 2000

posted 01-25-2013 05:16 PM
Sergei Volkov, a photo I sent him (taken at his appearance at the UN in NYC), received today. Thought I had it written when I sent it out, might have been around June or July.

DirkMember

Posts: 676From: BelgiumRegistered: Jul 2003

posted 01-26-2013 03:47 PM
I received a Yuri Malenchenko item signed back last week. Was sent to Star City.

COR482932Member

Posts: 163From: Cork, IrelandRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 01-26-2013 05:55 PM
Dirk did you send Malenchenko a photo or did you request one?

DirkMember

Posts: 676From: BelgiumRegistered: Jul 2003

posted 01-27-2013 05:12 AM
I asked for one.

COR482932Member

Posts: 163From: Cork, IrelandRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 01-27-2013 06:15 AM
And sorry last question, did you write your letter of request in English or Russian? I am thinking English seeing how many times he has been aboard the ISS.

posted 03-04-2013 11:23 AM
I have been collecting space since my 7th birthday, 5 May 1961. The day Alan Shepard launched in his Freedom 7, my 7th birthday. I have been writing to astronauts and cosmonauts since 1983.

I always had great luck when the cosmonauts were in the Soviet Union. After the break up of the Soviet Union it changed. I have only had a couple replies.

Is it better addressing the envelope in Russian Cyrillic or English as the address appears on collectSPACE?

Editor's note: Threads merged.

rgarnerMember

Posts: 727From: Liverpool, United KingdomRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 03-04-2013 11:23 AM
As a man who has spent a long time in Russia, I know it is always considered impressive when a foreigner can write in Cyrillic. If I was aiming for a reply to a letter, I would go out of my way to write in Cyrillic.

Shuttle EndeavourMember

Posts: 234From: Freehold, NJ, USARegistered: Aug 2013

posted 09-18-2013 03:11 PM
Is it recommended to send out your own photo or do they send it like at JSC?

Hart SastrowardoyoMember

Posts: 2943From: Toms River, NJRegistered: Aug 2000

posted 09-18-2013 07:59 PM
They send out their own photos, although I did sent Sergei Volkov a photo I had taken of him. They're about 4x6 sized.

COR482932Member

Posts: 163From: Cork, IrelandRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 09-19-2013 02:37 PM
I wrote to Yuri Malenchenko and Oleg Kononenko at the start of 2013. Then in July I received 2 envelopes on the same day from Star City. Both Yuri and Oleg signed their official Sokol space suit portraits on a 4x6 photo. I sent 5EURO along with my LOR because I heard it will increase your chances of getting a return, and it clearly did for me!

Shuttle EndeavourMember

Posts: 234From: Freehold, NJ, USARegistered: Aug 2013

posted 09-19-2013 09:07 PM
How does adding 5 euro help with the chance of getting a reply? Also, how long does it usually take for Alexey Leonov to reply? Thanks.

COR482932Member

Posts: 163From: Cork, IrelandRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 09-20-2013 10:37 AM
I have heard from experienced collectors that including Russian roubles will increase your chances of getting a return. Obviously there are no roubles in Ireland so I just sent 5 euro.

DirkMember

Posts: 676From: BelgiumRegistered: Jul 2003

posted 09-20-2013 10:51 AM
I think Leonov cleaned his desk last year. I received several of my photos signed back. I did only included International Reply Coupons. Think he only responds once every 4-5 years...

posted 12-27-2013 07:17 AM
The Christmas school holidays provide me with a chance to write some letters. I don't think I've written one since July.

How about Pavel Vinogradov and Fyodor Yurchikin?

eurospaceMember

Posts: 2459From: Brussels, BelgiumRegistered: Dec 2000

posted 12-28-2013 08:58 AM
Vinogradov is a good signer. You need to send him something to be signed.

Yurchikin has been signing after his very first spaceflight on the shuttle, but nothing has come forward since. I think he's just too busy flying into space again and again to waste time on his mail.

SpaceyInMNMember

Posts: 160From: Andover, MNRegistered: Dec 2013

posted 01-10-2014 06:56 PM
I'm preparing to send a photo to Alexey Leonov requesting his autograph. I have a co-worker who can help me with translation and Cyrillic. The problem is, I realized I don't know how to go about asking. I've sent letters to American astronauts, but I understand the American culture, of course.

Does anyone out there have any advice on how to address a Russian cosmonaut, as far as the general content and tone of the letter? I really don't know if he would prefer just a straight-forward request for an autograph, or if I should try to include any content to personalize the letter, as I typically do when I send a request to an American.

Thoughts, ideas, and advice are appreciated!

Lev MMember

Posts: 116From: CanadaRegistered: Nov 2012

posted 01-10-2014 09:37 PM
I don't think you need to overcomplicate things here. Just show your respect to him and his role. And ask if he can sign your photo. Simple and honest request should work.

If you are going to provide your picture to get signed (and I believe you are) I would recommend to put a yellow sticky note with approximate words you'd like to get.

Also do not expect your photo back very soon because the Russian postal service is not fast these days.

eurospaceMember

Posts: 2459From: Brussels, BelgiumRegistered: Dec 2000

posted 01-10-2014 10:04 PM
Be plain, honest and well informed. In other words:

say three words about who you are and what your collection means to you.

say three words about Leonov's career and achievements and why you adore him

Kindly ask for an autograph.

Better join the item you want signed. Russian cosmonauts rarely have photos etc. to send out for free.

Use the correct address, and join a self addressed stamped envelope (Russian stamps!).

While it is very polite to write to him in Russian, Leonov speaks passably English. After all, he was the first to make a joint mission with the Americans (ASTP in 1975), so he has a fairly good working knowledge.

Leonov and the old generation of cosmonauts do usually not inscribe to anyone (Kubasov being an exception).

Good luck!

jiffyq58Member

Posts: 204From: Durham, NC, USARegistered: Jun 2011

posted 01-10-2014 11:06 PM
I'm still looking for a good source to buy Russian stamps. Anyone know of one?

eurospaceMember

Posts: 2459From: Brussels, BelgiumRegistered: Dec 2000

posted 01-11-2014 01:58 AM

quote:Originally posted by jiffyq58:I'm still looking for a good source to buy Russian stamps.

I buy mine here, but perhaps a seller in Germany is not the most practical solution for our American friends.